Unlikely Friendships Sure To Melt Your Heart

Are You An Animal Lover Too?

As a child, my most trusted friends were our cats. I could count on them to be there for me when I needed them. If I was sick in bed, they would stay by my side all day long. I could feel the love and compassion they had for me.

When my mom was a little girl her family bought two California Desert Tortoises from a pet store. In those days it was legal to buy them, but now they are actually an endangered species. They have been a part of our family for as long as I can remember.

I used to spend my summer mornings searching our neighborhood for hibiscus flowers, dandelions and clover. Sometimes I would prepare a salad made up of zucchini, lettuce, and other vegetables.

Every year Bella, our momma tortoise would lay eggs and we would carefully dig them up using a paint brush before transferring them to the warmth of an incubator. Numerous times I had the joy of watching baby tortoises hatch.

My parents still care for our beloved tortoises, and occasionally they adopt them out to loving families. Currently they have two cats and ten tortoises that they devote their time and attention to.

I love watching nature videos and television specials on animals. Videos of unlikely animal friendships are special to me. Animal odd couples teach of love and acceptance, and will melt your heart.

Photo by: Mandy Stradley

The Tortoise and the Hippo

A frightened baby hippo was found stranded on a reef after the devastating 2004 tsunami. After he was rescued he was taken to Haller Park in Kenya. Upon arrival he ran to the safety of a giant tortoise named Mzee and the two became inseparable. For the full story by Haller Park's Chief Environmentalist, Dr. Paula Kahumbu, see the article, "A Hippo and Tortoise Tale."

Christian the Lion

In this tear jerker, friends unite with Christian the lion after he has been living in the wild for a full year. This is one of my favorites!

Lioness Adopts Baby Antelopes

In the wild a lioness is compelled to adopt baby antelopes. She loves them as if they are her own, but unfortunately their relationships can't last.

Puppies and Rabbit

Aw, cute labrador puppies cuddle with a rabbit.

Suryia and Roscoe

One day Suryia, an orangutan was riding on an elephant with his caretaker when a hound dog ran up to them. Suryia jumped down and the odd couple immediately became best friends.

Dog, Cat, and Rat

Meet Booger, Kitty and Mousie, Gregory Pike's unusual pets. Booger raised Kittty, an American Tabby. All three lovable animals stick together, and Kitty and Mousie ride on top of Booger. Gregory hopes that these sweet animals will be an influence on society. If they can get along, why can't everyone else?

The Duckling and the Puppy

A fuzzy little duckling follows a labrador puppy around and the two friends cuddle.

Ducklings with their Momma! - I took this picture in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Giraffe and Ostrich

Watch as these two buddies play a game of chase!

Cat and Dog: Friends Forever

These two lovable animals spend time cuddling, grooming and playing with each other.

Elephant and Dog

This animal duo is sure to melt your heart! These buddies look out for each other and you can see the love that they share.

Crow and Kitten are Friends

This heartwarming friendship began when a seemingly ordinary black crow decided to raise a stray kitten. One day a a couple noticed a kitten in their yard. A few days later the kitten came back, accompanied by a crow. The sweet and loving crow fed and took care of the kitten, and their beautiful relationship was taped for 8 months. The crow's motherly skills of digging up worms and bugs to nourish the kitten kept him alive!

Lion and Tiger and Bear Oh My!

This amazing National Geographic video tells the true story of a lion, tiger and bear who are best friends!

These guys are best buds too!

Photo by: Kevin Stradley

A Baby Elephant Bonds with a Sheep

A baby elephant tragically lost his mother in the wild. The elephant was rescued and moved to Shamwari Rehabilitation Centre in South Africa, where he and a sheep made an unusual connection. The two bonded and remained together at the reserve.

Chimpanzee and Puma

You can see the affection these two lovable animals share as they interact and play together.

Cara Adopts Goslings

Sweet Cara watches over and protects five goslings.

Anita and the Wolves

A pack of wolves treat Anita as a sister! Anita's loving relationship with wolves reminds me of Mowgli from the Jungle Book.

Dog and Deer

This playful duo run around and spend time together outside.

Golden Retriever Adopts Three White Tiger Babies

Isabella becomes the surrogate mother for three white tiger babies after their mother abandons them.

White Tiger Cubs and Their New Mother!

This video tells the tale of Anjana, a chimpanzee and two white tiger cubs. Anjana loves and cares for the cubs and even helps feed them with a bottle. Her grin as she looks at one of the cubs is sure to melt your heart!

Foxes and a Dog

Watch as two adorable foxes spend time with their new best friend!

Polar Bear and Husky

Who would have thought that a polar bear would make friends with a dog? Watch as they hug and play with each other!

A Seal and a Woman

A Seal decides his new best friend is a woman! Watch as the two kiss and cuddle on the beach.

Owl and Dog

I have only seen an owl like this in the zoo. This beautiful bird is attracted to a dog!

Sleepy Owls at the Orange County Zoo - I doubt these guys have ever met a dog!

Photo by: Kevin Stradley

Cat and Bird

My cat has left me my fair share of "presents," and it is always particularly sad when they are birds. How odd for a cat to be playing in a friendly matter with a bird!

Blue Whale in Southern California - Do you think this whale has any unique underwater friends?

What is your favorite animal odd couple?

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Merry Citarella 3 years agofrom Oregon's Southern Coast

What a great find this lens was! Such fun! Hard to pick a favorite though!

suepogson 4 years ago

What a lovely, lovely lens - I can't choose a favourite pair (or trio) but the crow and kitten are the most extraordinary to me. I have a bunch of animals that sometimes muck in - the dogs and cats groom each other, the ducks and chickens share offspring - but the one time I had top hand raise a squirrel there was no way any of the rest were going to help. I really enjoyed reading this - thanks.

lesliesinclair 4 years ago

Those are so touching. I never witnessed any such odd couples in real life, but I sure appreciate knowing they do happen.

Mommy-Bear 4 years ago

Great lens. When I was a child a new born squirrel fell down the chimney and was adopted by one of our cats. It became a love but very destructive pet!

Jean DAndrea 4 years agofrom Victoria, Australia

Have seen a documentary about Christian the lion, and have read about the crow and the kitten. Heartwarming! :-)

anonymous 4 years ago

As a kid growing up we had 2 cats, one turtle (still have him!) and 45 dogs-the family business was dogsledding. So I understand what you mean when you say they were your best friends. The dog we have right now, she's an angel (maybe not literally). When I'm having a stressful day, she tries to interupt me and make me take her outside and play. Love this lens!

Cynthia Haltom 4 years agofrom Diamondhead

An owl and a cat.

anonymous 4 years ago

Good collection of these stories, I like a lot of them but would choose hippo and tortoise as my favorite because I love tortoises.

TanoCalvenoa 4 years ago

I like the camel and the giant squid.

RinchenChodron 4 years ago

You were very lucky to have tortoises as pets! Way cool. I enjoyed all the great odd animal pairings.

anonymous 4 years ago

I honestly could not pick a favorite as they all have their own little bit of love to share. This was a truly beautiful lens of unusual friendship which proves anything is possible given the right opportunity. It is man that does not share good friendships. These animals could teach us a good lesson.

anne mohanraj 4 years ago

A truly heartwarming lens! I enjoyed this lens so much!

LornsA178 4 years ago

What a great lens! I love watching those animals stories, very heart warming.

Escapes2 5 years ago

I can't pick just one. They are are really cool!

Diva2Mom 5 years ago

I love every creature that God created. I love animals and I believe they should be well-nurtured and loved. Great lens! God bless you.

anonymous 5 years ago

They are all just great, I love animals...even odd couples. :)

PhotographicStu 5 years ago

Great lens, I love animals too! I will be bookmarking this lens, Thank You

malena10 5 years ago

I like them all, i really am Animal Lover!

Author

Mandy Stradley 5 years ago

@sibian: Christian the lion is my favorite too, thanks!

sibian 5 years ago

I found Christian the lion to be one of the most touching for me.

Great lens, thanks for compiling together so many beautiful videos.

anonymous 5 years ago

All the videos are heart-warming indeed! Very nice highlight on unusual friendships!

Spiderlily321 5 years ago

Wow. Very cute lens. I like the chimp and the tiger cubs and the dog and the owl. I've never seen that before. Thanks for sharing.

howdoyouspellst 5 years ago

So cute!! I love funny animal friends. Your picture of the ducklings in DC is really cute!! And it's always nice when dogs and cats can be friends. Great page!! :D

JJNW 5 years agofrom USA

Oh how adorable! I love them all! Animals are so special and each is unique. Thanks for putting these all in one place. I will be coming back over and over to watch and smile!

SharpLee 5 years ago

I'm going to take my time and watch all the cute videos! Thank you for the article!